[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       JIM, YOU'VE LEFT YOUR MARK

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. BARCIA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today I want to publicly salute 
and give thanks to State Representative James E. O'Neill, Jr., a 
Democrat who has tirelessly served the 95th District of Michigan, 
including over his tenure several communities in the Saginaw area.
  Jim has been a good friend and colleague of mine for many years and I 
take great pride in acknowledging his fine contributions to the people 
of his district. Jim has had a diverse and distinguished career, from 
representing his county in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, to teaching 
in the Hemlock public schools, to serving Michigan in the House of 
Representatives.
  The name of James E. O'Neill, Jr., is synonymous with concern for 
excellence in education. As a teach, Jim instructed high school 
students in English, history and government and also found time to 
coach young people in football, basketball and baseball. The people who 
worked with Jim thought so highly of him that he was promoted to 
Hemlock Elementary and Junior High School principal in 1957, where he 
worked until voters elected him to the Michigan House of 
Representatives in 1966. He was responsible for securing significant 
funding for Saginaw Valley State University, my alma mater, helping to 
dramatically improve that excellent institution. He is truly a champion 
for education.
  As a Representative, Jim serves his constituents as vice-chair of the 
House Appropriations Committee and sits on the State Police, Community 
Colleges, House-Senate Joint Capital Outlay, School Aid and Department 
of Education subcommittees.
  Jim has lived in Saginaw his entire life, where he has raised two 
wonderful children, Margaret Ruth and James E. III. He now leaves the 
Michigan State House of Representatives where he has distinguished 
himself as one of the most effective legislators in the body's history. 
The people of the 95th District will be losing a skilled friend who has 
effectively worked on their behalf. In fact, the entire State House of 
Representatives will miss a noted leader.
  I urge all of our colleagues to join me in wishing State 
Representative James E. O'Neill, Jr., the very best in his retirement, 
and thanking him for his most distinguished public service.

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